The FA, criticised for the leniency shown to John Terry after he racially abused Anton Ferdinand, also acknowledged the need for “strong penalties for any offence of discrimination”.

“The vision must be when we come to recruit England managers in the future, there must be genuine black and ethnic minority candidates who are fully qualified and have strong CVs through being given opportunities to manage at the highest level in this country,’’ said Adrian Bevington, the chief executive of Club England, the FA body that selects the England manager.

Bevington was talking at the Valley on Saturday afternoon to mark 20 years of the Charlton Athletic Race & Equality Partnership, which works with the FA.

“We help to develop more black and ethnic minority coaches,’’ said Bevington. “Our COACH bursary programme led by Brendon Batson is focused on this and there can be no better role model for aspiring young managers than Charlton’s own Chris Powell.

We must also provide pathways that will lead to more black and ethnic minority representation at board and CEO levels at clubs, and also at FA board level and within the senior executive.

“As a priority, we must encourage the importance of black and ethnic minority players taking coaching qualifications and inspire confidence in them that job opportunities will follow.

"If we look at Holland, we have seen Frank Rijkaard coach Barcelona and the national team.

Patrick Kluivert is an assistant coach with the national team and with FC Twente.

“The clear focus now has to be significantly increasing the numbers of black and ethnic minority qualified coaches and managers.

"While it is wonderful to see Chris doing so well at Charlton with his assistant Alex Dyer, and Chris Hughton and Keith Curle progressing well with Norwich and Notts County, we have to do all we can to encourage more.

“Of the high number of black players who have represented England or performed so well at Premier League and Football League clubs, it goes without saying there are potentially excellent coaches and managers among them.

"We have to encourage, harness and develop this potential.

“In addition to Hope Powell coaching the England Women’s senior team and Noel Blake England’s U19 team, it is not too much to expect as an outcome black managers and coaches at top clubs, and ultimately with the England men’s senior team. This has to be a realistic goal and should not be seen as a far-off target.

“It is vital we support the growth and development of football within the Asian community.

“How many fantastic players, coaches and top administrators are we missing from the Asian community?”

Bevington reiterated his organisation’s support for “Kick It Out” and noted “its superb record under Lord Ouseley in educating and engaging the public — particularly young people”.

He added: "Show Racism The Red Card has also done so much in this regard too. Prejudice and discrimination has no place in football, and society as a whole, in 2013. One incident is one too many. We must ensure all cases are dealt with as a priority and as quickly as possible, ensuring proper processes are followed. There must be consistency, transparency and strong penalties for any offence of discrimination which works as a deterrent.."